Test Manager (ARE) - C1 in Edinburgh

This opportunity is only open to applicants who are currently 'Priority Movers'. Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered.

ARE works to support Scotland's sustainable economic growth, especially in the rural economy, making the most of Scotland’s environment, natural assets and advantages – its people, landscapes, biodiversity, agriculture, food & drink and animal welfare.

Digital Information Systems Division (DISD) supports the ARE Directorate by ensuring our IT systems continue to operate to support payments into the rural economy and help the Directorate deliver its service outcomes via technical solutions, both maintaining current services and developing new services for the future. We set the IT Strategy and principles under which we operate and are currently shaping the ARE digital strategy for the Directorate in partnership with all divisions.

This is all against a backdrop of running, maintaining, developing and adapting many critical IT/digital systems – the main ones which are used by a range of external customers. Colleagues in the Division have a very broad span of digital/technical, governance and commercial skills, reflecting the complexity and variety of solutions in use and the services they provide.

This post is within the heart of the Digital Service Operations branch, which is responsible for the effective running of ARE’s digital services. In this role you will provide technical leadership for the functional, automation and performance test teams within the Division, in addition to providing guidance and advice to the Directorate’s user acceptance test function. You will assume ownership of ARE’s Test Strategy and will engage with stakeholders across and out with the Directorate, forming productive relationships to deliver value and build confidence in the critical assurance activities undertaken.

• Creation, implementation, and continued maintenance of the Directorate’s Test Policy/Strategy.
• Liaise with stakeholders to establish and maintain the risk-based test approach to all areas of testing, including system, SIT, and OAT, with a strong appreciation for promoting test automation.
• Shape the testing function through recruitment and development, including training and addressing skills gaps.
• Provide recommendations on test tooling and techniques, implementing and embedding these into standard practices in the overall QA approach, including automation and service validation.
• Responsibility for seeking industry best practices and advising on QA improvements, such as refining existing processes or creating new ones and embedding automation.
• Oversee multiple work streams and assure all test deliverables on the work stream adhere to the standards defined in policy.
• Work closely with delivery and product teams to manage timelines, test coverage, and overall test quality across the portfolio.
• Responsible for portfolio management, including establishing and maintaining influential relationships across the work stack and future-proofing the team’s capability.
• Accountable for all test documentation, including processes to adhere to compliance and auditability.
• Lead on remediation and coordination between multiple teams in the pursuit of resolving defects.
• Take responsibility for talent, succession planning, and supplier management.
• Establish and maintain influential relationships with teams internal and external to the Digital team with the view of implementing policy and/or consulting on best practices.
• Report on progress, risks, issues, and dependencies at all stages of test delivery.

This role is a permanent level transfer position.

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive C1 employees. Please submit a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words). Vacancy closes at 11:59pm on Sunday the 14th June.

All applications will be invited to an informal discussion with the hiring manager. Informal discussions are to be confirmed.

If you have specific questions about the role, please contact Digitalcareers@gov.scot. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.